The UAB Department of Occupational Health & Safety's mission is to ensure that our customers have a safe workplace by providing them with the service and knowledge necessary to protect themselves, the UAB community, and the environment.

Governor Robert Bentley has declared February 16-21st, 2014 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. During this special week, Alabamians are encouraged to learn and or review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather.

Today is devoted to severe thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Alabama any time of the day, month or year. There are about 2000 thunderstorms in progress around the world at any given moment. However, less than one percent of these thunderstorms are classified as severe. Severe thunderstorms are defined as thunderstorms that produce one inch hail or larger and or strong wind gusts of 58 miles per hour or greater. Severe hail that is one inch in diameter is roughly the size of a quarter.